Flora of New Zealand Series

hydrocotyle

Perennial, forming large patches; stems slender. Lvs simple, usually dark glossy green, usually glabrous, rarely sparsely hairy above or below, 5-10-(15) mm diam., divided to ⅕-⅓-(⅔) of radius into usually 5 segments; segments broadly oblong to obovate, each usually with 3 crenate teeth; teeth with blunt cartilaginous points; margins flat; petiole glabrous or with a few retrorse hairs near apex. Umbels simple, (2)-5-10-(12)-flowered; peduncles ± = lvs. Fls subsessile or shortly pedicellate. Fr. glabrous, 1.3-1.7 × 1 mm, acute on dorsal edge; ribs slightly raised and slender, or inconspicuous.

N.; S.; St.; C.

Endemic.

Damp situations in riverbeds, grassy banks and coastal sites, also established as a lawn weed in wetter areas.

H. microphylla is distinguished from H. heteromeria by the thicker, glossy lvs and pedunculate infls, and from H. novae-zeelandiae by the smaller frs. Hairy forms appear similar to small forms of H. moschata.